Vicarious Surgical Inc. Appoints Joseph Doherty as Chairman of the Board, Strengthening Leadership Amid Strategic Growth Phase
Waltham, MA – Vicarious Surgical Inc. (NYSE: RBOT, RBOT.WS), a pioneering force in next-generation robotic surgery technology, today announced a significant leadership enhancement with the appointment of Joseph Doherty as Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Mr. Doherty, who has served as a valued member of the Board since June 2025, brings decades of executive leadership, deep healthcare industry expertise, and a proven track record in medical device innovation to this pivotal role. His elevation to Chairman underscores Vicarious Surgical’s commitment to strategic governance, operational excellence, and its mission to revolutionize minimally invasive surgery for the benefit of patients and shareholders alike.
Stephen From, Chief Executive Officer of Vicarious Surgical, expressed strong confidence in Mr. Doherty’s leadership capabilities. “Since joining Vicarious Surgical, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Joe and greatly value his perspective,” said From. “As Chairman of the Board, he brings a wealth of experience and thoughtful leadership that will serve the Company well. I look forward to partnering with him and the Board as we advance on our mission of transforming surgical robotics and driving value for patients and shareholders.”
Mr. Doherty’s appointment comes at a critical juncture in Vicarious Surgical’s evolution. The company is advancing its proprietary robotic platform—designed to offer surgeons unprecedented visibility and dexterity through a single small incision—toward commercialization and broader clinical adoption. With regulatory milestones on the horizon and strategic partnerships under development, the addition of a seasoned leader like Doherty to the helm of the Board is expected to provide crucial guidance in navigating the complex landscape of medical device commercialization, regulatory compliance, and global market expansion.
A Distinguished Career Spanning Healthcare, Medical Devices, and Innovation
Joseph Doherty’s professional journey reflects a lifelong dedication to advancing healthcare through leadership, innovation, and strategic vision. Since January 2025, he has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Worcester City Campus Corporation, a not-for-profit entity established to foster, promote, and support the University of Massachusetts system. In this role, he has been instrumental in cultivating public-private partnerships that accelerate research commercialization and strengthen the regional life sciences ecosystem—a mission closely aligned with Vicarious Surgical’s own innovation-driven ethos.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Doherty held a series of high-impact leadership roles across the global medical device and healthcare sectors. He served as President of Scapa Healthcare, a division of Scapa Group plc, a publicly traded company on the AIM Stock Exchange of the London Stock Exchange. In this capacity, he oversaw the strategic direction and operational performance of a business focused on advanced wound care and medical adhesives, demonstrating his ability to lead both commercial and R&D functions in a regulated environment.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Doherty was President of Olympus Surgical Technologies America, a key subsidiary of Olympus Corporation of the Americas. There, he led a portfolio of endoscopic and minimally invasive surgical technologies, gaining firsthand insight into the clinical needs of surgeons and the operational challenges of hospital systems—experience that directly informs his understanding of Vicarious Surgical’s market opportunity.
Perhaps most notably, Mr. Doherty spent 24 formative years at Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), one of the world’s most respected healthcare conglomerates. During his tenure, he held roles of increasing responsibility across multiple J&J operating companies, culminating in his appointment as Vice President of Integration and Transformation. In this strategic role, he led large-scale organizational change initiatives, post-merger integrations, and operational efficiency programs—skills that are increasingly vital for high-growth medtech companies navigating rapid scale and market complexity.
Commitment to Advancing Medical Innovation Through Board Service and Advisory Roles
Beyond his executive roles, Mr. Doherty has consistently contributed to the broader healthcare innovation ecosystem through board service and strategic advisory work. He has served on the boards of the Massachusetts Biomedical Initiative (MBI), a nonprofit that supports life sciences entrepreneurship in Central Massachusetts; Immertec, a virtual reality platform enabling remote surgical collaboration and training; and ZATA Pharmaceuticals, an emerging player in specialty pharmaceuticals. Additionally, he has acted as an advisor to AccuTec, a medical device company focused on infection control, and Boardwalk Robotics, a developer of autonomous surgical assistance systems.
These engagements reflect Mr. Doherty’s deep commitment to fostering next-generation medical technologies and his ability to identify and nurture high-potential ventures. His cross-sector perspective—spanning devices, digital health, pharmaceuticals, and surgical robotics—positions him uniquely to guide Vicarious Surgical as it seeks to redefine the standards of care in minimally invasive surgery.
Educational Foundation and Vision for Vicarious Surgical
Mr. Doherty’s academic background further reinforces his strategic and operational acumen. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he developed a disciplined, mission-oriented approach to problem-solving. He later completed a Master of Business Administration from Nichols College, equipping him with the financial and managerial expertise necessary to lead complex organizations.
In accepting the role of Chairman, Mr. Doherty articulated a clear and compelling vision for Vicarious Surgical’s future. “I am honored to serve as Chairman at a pivotal moment for Vicarious Surgical,” he said. “Our technology is designed to set a higher standard in minimally invasive surgery and has the potential to set a new standard for robotic surgery and enhance patient outcomes worldwide. I look forward to partnering with Stephen, the Board, and the team to focus our strategy, execute with discipline, and deliver better outcomes for patients and value for shareholders.”
The Vicarious Surgical platform represents a paradigm shift in robotic-assisted surgery. Unlike traditional multi-port robotic systems, Vicarious’ proprietary design enables a surgeon to operate through a single incision using a highly dexterous robot equipped with a 360-degree camera and two robotic arms. This approach aims to reduce trauma, shorten recovery times, and expand access to complex procedures—particularly in underserved or resource-constrained settings.
Strengthening Governance for the Next Phase of Growth
The appointment of Joseph Doherty as Chairman signals Vicarious Surgical’s proactive approach to corporate governance as it transitions from a development-stage company to a commercial-stage enterprise. His extensive experience in scaling medical technology businesses, navigating regulatory pathways, and building high-performance teams will be invaluable as the company prepares for pivotal milestones, including FDA submissions, clinical validations, and eventual commercial launch.
Investors and stakeholders can expect Mr. Doherty to bring a steady hand, strategic foresight, and unwavering focus on execution to the Board. His leadership is expected to enhance board effectiveness, strengthen risk oversight, and ensure alignment between corporate strategy and long-term value creation.
As Vicarious Surgical continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in robotic surgery, the addition of Joseph Doherty as Chairman marks a significant step forward in its journey to improve lives through transformative technology. With a seasoned leader at the helm of its Board and a clear mission driving its innovation, the company is well-positioned to deliver on its promise of redefining surgical care for patients around the world.
